Bringing a dog to Hawaii without a long quarantine takes months of planning. Your dog needs a microchip, at least two rabies vaccinations, a passing FAVN blood test with a 30-day wait, a health certificate and tick treatment within 14 days of arrival, and documents with the state at least 10 days ahead. Cats follow the same rules.
Key facts
- Hawaii is rabies-free. Every dog and cat arriving from the US mainland must meet the state's import rules, including puppies and kittens.
- Pets that qualify can be released at Honolulu airport (Direct Airport Release, $185) or after up to 5 days at the quarantine station ($244). Pets that don't qualify can be held for up to 120 days.
- The FAVN blood sample must reach the lab at least 30 days and no more than 36 months before arrival, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
- Documents must reach the Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 days before a Honolulu arrival, or 30 days before a direct arrival in Kona, Kahului or Lihue.
- United, Delta, American and WestJet don't fly pets to Hawaii. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines do (as of October 2026).
Can I take my dog to Hawaii without quarantine?
Yes, if you complete every step of Hawaii's 5-Day-or-Less program before you fly. Hawaii's quarantine rules are run by the Animal Quarantine Station of the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. A pet that meets all the requirements and arrives at Honolulu during inspection hours can be released at the airport the same day. This is called Direct Airport Release.
A pet that qualifies but arrives without its paperwork filed in time, or outside inspection hours, goes to the quarantine station for 5 days or less. A pet that doesn't meet the requirements may be quarantined for up to 120 days.
Pets that are native to, or have lived for at least six months in, the British Isles, Australia, Guam or New Zealand follow a separate exempt checklist.
Hawaii dog import checklist
These steps come from the state's Checklist 1 for Honolulu arrivals (revised June 2023). Do them in this order, because the timing of each step depends on the one before.
- Microchip. Your dog or cat needs a working microchip implanted before the FAVN blood test. Ask your vet to scan it and check the number on every document. A pet that can't be identified by scanning is assigned 120 days of quarantine.
- Two rabies vaccinations. Your pet must have had at least two rabies vaccinations in its lifetime, given more than 30 days apart. The most recent one must be more than 30 days before arrival and still within its licensed booster interval. Each rabies certificate must be signed in ink and show the vaccine name, lot or serial number, booster interval, vaccination date and lot expiration date.
- FAVN rabies blood test. Your vet draws blood and sends it to an approved lab: Kansas State University, Auburn University, the University of Missouri or the Department of Defense Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory in Texas. List "HAWAII" as the destination on the lab form. The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or higher. Hawaii notes that OIE-FAVN results can be delayed by 1 to 2 months.
- Wait 30 days. The waiting period starts the day after the lab receives the blood sample. A pet that arrives before the 30 days are up doesn't qualify for airport release. The result is valid for 36 months.
- Send your documents. The Animal Quarantine Station must receive the Dog & Cat Import Form (AQS-279), the two original rabies certificates and payment at least 10 days before a Honolulu arrival. You can also apply through the state's Hawai'i Pet Owner Portal (HIPOP).
- Health certificate and tick treatment. Within 14 days of arrival, your vet examines your pet, treats it with a long-acting product labeled to kill ticks, and issues an original health certificate. The certificate must list the rabies vaccine details and the tick product name and treatment date. Revolution isn't accepted as the tick treatment.
A puppy or kitten can't be vaccinated, tested and through the wait in a few weeks. The state says newborn puppies and kittens need at least 10 months to qualify, and adult pets at least four months.
How much does it cost to bring a dog to Hawaii?
These are the state's quarantine fees per pet, as of October 2026. They don't include your vet, the FAVN lab or the airline.
| Program or charge | Fee |
|---|---|
| Direct Airport Release, Honolulu (documents received 10+ days ahead) | $185 |
| Direct Airport Release, Honolulu (documents received late) | $244 |
| 5-Day-or-Less program | $244 |
| Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (Kona, Kahului, Lihue) | $165 |
| Arriving before you qualify (Honolulu) | $14.30 per early day plus $244 |
| Re-entry, if your pet qualifies | $98 ($130 if documents arrive late) |
| Pet held overnight and not picked up by 10:00 a.m. | Additional $59 |
The checklist asks for payment by cashier's check or money order. Personal checks aren't accepted.
What happens when you land in Honolulu?
- Your pet is taken to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). The airline can take up to an hour to bring it there.
- Bring the original health certificate. A photocopy isn't accepted, and without the original your pet won't be released.
- Inspection happens during the facility's daytime hours, which the state says can change without notice. Pick a flight that lands well before the afternoon cutoff.
- A pet that arrives between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. has to be picked up between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. the next morning, or it goes to the quarantine station under the 5-Day-or-Less program.
- A pet found with ticks or other parasites on arrival doesn't qualify for airport release.
Can I fly my dog directly to Maui, Kona or Kauai?
Yes, with a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit. It covers direct arrivals at Kona (KOA), Kahului (OGG) and Lihue (LIH), and follows Checklist 2. The differences from Honolulu:
- Documents must reach the quarantine station at least 30 days before arrival, not 10.
- The permit costs $165 and is emailed to you once your pet qualifies. You need a printed copy to board the plane.
- Inspection is done by a listed veterinary facility at a date and time you agree with them.
- Pets that are refused entry are sent to Honolulu for inspection or quarantine, or flown out of state at your expense.
The state warns that some airlines may not take part, so ask your airline before you book.
Which airlines fly pets to Hawaii?
Most US airlines don't carry pets to Hawaii at all. This is from our airline data, verified October 2026.
| Airline | Pets to Hawaii from the mainland? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines | Yes | Baggage compartment: $200 each way per kennel, pet and kennel up to 150 lb. Cabin pets: $100 each way. Extra Hawaii requirements apply. |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Yes | Same policy as Alaska. Cabin $35 for travel wholly within Hawaii. Kennels over 28 in aren't accepted between the islands. |
| Southwest Airlines | Between islands only | Cabin pets $35 between the Hawaiian islands. No pets between the mainland and Hawaii. |
| United, Delta, American, WestJet | No | None of them accept pets on flights to Hawaii. |
Alaska and Hawaiian publish their Hawaii pet rules on separate pages that we couldn't read in full. We couldn't confirm whether cabin pets are accepted on every mainland–Hawaii route, so check when you call to add your pet. Cabin pets need a soft-sided carrier no larger than 17 x 11 x 9.5 in. Use the carrier size checker to test yours.
From October 1, 2026, Alaska and Hawaiian no longer accept snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs, boxers and Persian cats in the baggage compartment. They can still fly in the cabin if the carrier fits under the seat. See snub-nosed breeds and airlines and flying pets in cargo.
Do I need a health certificate for my dog to go to Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii requires an original health certificate issued within 14 days of arrival. Some airlines want it issued within 10 days, so use the shorter window if your airline asks for it. Because of New World Screwworm, the state says any certificate of veterinary inspection must now include the statement that all animals were inspected and found free of screwworm infestation. Read pet health certificates for travel for how to get one.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to bring a dog to Hawaii?
Plan on at least four months for an adult dog that has already had one rabies vaccination. Puppies and kittens need at least 10 months, because they must be old enough for two vaccinations and the blood test.
How do I get my dog to Hawaii without quarantine?
Complete the 5-Day-or-Less checklist and get your documents to the Animal Quarantine Station at least 10 days before landing in Honolulu. Arrive during inspection hours and your dog can be released at the airport.
Can I bring a cat to Hawaii?
Yes. Cats follow exactly the same rules as dogs: microchip, two rabies vaccinations, FAVN test, health certificate and tick treatment.
What happens if my dog arrives in Hawaii too early?
A pet that arrives before the 30-day wait has passed doesn't qualify for airport release. It's quarantined, at $14.30 per early day plus the $244 program fee.
Can my dog fly in the cabin to Hawaii?
United, Delta, American, WestJet and Southwest don't allow it on mainland flights. Alaska and Hawaiian are the only options; confirm cabin space on your route when you reserve.
Sources
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity: Animal Quarantine
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity: Animal quarantine information page (fees, forms, advisories)
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity: Checklist 1, Direct Airport Release and 5 Day or Less (Honolulu)
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity: Checklist 2, Direct Airport Release at Kona, Kahului and Lihue
- Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity: Re-entry fee requirements
- Alaska Airlines: Traveling with pets
- Alaska Airlines Newsroom: What to know before traveling with a canine companion
- Delta Air Lines: Pet travel overview
- American Airlines: Traveling with pets
- Southwest Airlines: Pet policy
